Home ownership is a dream that is shared by many. This dream is usually achieved through a mortgage. Yet, the mortgage aspect of this dream often turns into a nightmare. If you want to keep the mortgage portion of your life nice and dreamy, read this article for tips and tricks to use.
Check your credit report before applying for a mortgage. With today’s identity theft problems, there is a slight chance that your identity may have been compromised. By pulling a credit report, you can ensure that all of the information is correct. If you notice items on the credit report that are incorrect, seek assistance from a credit bureau.
Before applying for a mortgage, pay down your debts. Lenders use a debt to income ratio to verify that you are able to afford a mortgage. A general rule of thumb is 36 percent of your gross income should be available to pay all of your monthly expenses, including your mortgage payment.
Do not waste time in your home mortgage process. After you’ve submitted a mortgage application to the lender, this is when your clock start ticking. You have to send any necessary documents for the application process quickly. Any delays could destroy a purchase and cost you your deposit. Get an expected closing date, and then keep in touch with the lender periodically until your loan closes. Some lenders close quicker than others.
When considering the cost of your mortgage, also think about property taxes and homeowners insurance costs. Sometimes lenders will factor property taxes and insurance payments into your loan calculations but often they do not. You don’t want to be surprised when the tax office sends a bill and you learn the cost of required insurance.
If you can afford a higher monthly payment on the house you want to buy, consider getting a shorter mortgage. Most mortgage loans are based on a 30-year term. A mortgage loan for 15 or 20 years may increase your monthly payment but you will save money in the long run.
Try going with a short-term loan. Since interest rates have been around rock bottom lately, short-term loans tend to be more affordable for many borrowers. Anyone with a 30-year mortgage that has a 6% interest rate or higher could possibly refinance into a 15-year or 20-year loan while still keeping their the monthly payments near around what they’re already paying. This is an option to consider even if you have slightly higher monthly payments. It can help you pay off the mortgage quicker.
Save your money. When you are going to finance a home mortgage, you will need to have some cash for a down payment. The more money you pay down, the lower your payments and interest rates. The down payment goes directly to the principal of the mortgage and is a sum you will not owe yearly interest on.
Understand the difference between a mortgage broker and a mortgage lender. There is an important distinction that you need to be aware of so you can make the best choice for your situation. A mortgage broker is a middle man, who helps you shop for loans from several different lenders. A mortgage lender is the direct source for a loan.
Check out more than one financial institution when shopping for a lender. Know what these lenders are all about, and check with family and friends to get a good picture on what they will charge you. After having a good understanding of everything involved, then you can select the right mortgage option for you.
If you have trouble making your mortgage payment, get some assistance. Counseling is a good way to start if you are struggling. Counseling agencies are available through HUD. With the assistance of counselors that are HUD-approved, you can obtain free foreclosure-prevention counseling. You can locate them on their website, or by calling their office.
Ask a lot of questions of the mortgage lender you plan to use. The lender should answer your questions clearly, without being vague. If a lender dodges your questions or refuses to give a straight answer, you know it’s time to look for a new home mortgage lender to work with.
Go online and use a mortgage calculator to find out how much of a loan you can afford. There are many sites that offer these free calculators. Additionally, there are calculators that will tell you the final price you will be paying at the end of the loan and others that show how much you can save by paying extra toward the principal.
As mentioned in the introduction, the concept of owning your own home is a dream that you share with most everyone. Yet, if you have ever had to deal with financing or having a mortgage, you know that is the flipside of the coin. Hopefully, the ideas presented within this article make your mortgage dealings a breeze.
